Boston

Boston's Best Sports Spots

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Boston's professional sports teams have been on quite a run over the past 10 years, with 3 Super Bowl wins, 2 World Series championships, 1 NBA championship and 1 Stanley Cup. Ask any local and they'll likely claim that Boston is the best sports town in America. Only they might pronounce it “spohts.” Here are a few places to indulge in Boston's rich sports history.

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Photo by: Getty Images

Getty Images

It's been called “the Cathedral of Boston,” and has been immortalized in film and song. Of course, locals will tell you it's cramped, the seats are uncomfortable and the views are obstructed. It's all part of the character of the old ballpark and it's usually meant with affection, anyway.

Fans can take a 50-minute guided tour of Fenway and see for themselves on the year of its 100th anniversary. Tickets are available at the Red Sox ticket office. Tours run every hour, on the hour, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Call 617-226-6666 or email tours@redsox.com.)

The shoes that Patriots kicker Adam Vinatieri wore as he launched the ball through the uprights -- thus sealing the franchise's first Super Bowl victory in 2001 -- are on display at The Sports Museum in Boston. It's just one of the historic items and curiosities on display at this unique salute to the Boston region's sports teams and icons.

Located on levels 5 and 6 of the TD Garden, home of the Bruins and the Celtics, the museum gives visitors a chance to experience iconic items like the penalty box from the old Boston Garden and items from the 2004 Red Sox -- the year the team broke the “Curse of the Bambino.”

To get to the Sports Museum of New England, take the MBTA to North Station. A taxi from the Boston Convention Center to the TD Garden (100 Legends Way) is about a $12 fare.

See Sports Icons Frozen in Time

Photo by: Nietnagel, flickr

Nietnagel, flickr

Celtics coach, general manager and president Red Auerbach, who led the organization to 16 NBA titles, has been immortalized with his own life-size statue. Located in Quincy Market, the likeness depicts the coach sitting on the end of a bench clutching a trademark stogie.

Just a free throw away, a bronze plaque with a pair of size 13and-one-half sneakers honors former Celtic Larry Bird. To get to the Faneuil Hall/Quincy Market area, take the MBTA to the Government Center stop. The statue of Bruins legend Bobby Orr flying through the air after scoring the 1970 Stanley Cup-winning goal sits just outside the TD Garden. Ted Williams' statue depicts the Splendid Splinter propping a cap on a young fan's head at Fenway Park.

It may have hosted concerts by the Beatles, Elvis Presley and Aerosmith, but Suffolk Downs is known for horse racing -- something that has been happening at this East Boston location for more than 75 years. Whirlaway, Funny Cide, Cigar and the legendary Seabiscuit have all raced the 1-mile dirt oval at Suffolk Downs.

The official opening day is Monday, May 21, the same day as the Preakness Stakes. Post time is 1:15 p.m. A $2 bet gets you in the game. To get to the track (111 Waldemar Ave) take the MBTA blue line to the Suffolk Downs station.